DENTAL HEALTH

Dental Specialties

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists specializing in surgery of the mouth, face and jaws. After four years of dental school, surgeons receive four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, preparing them to do a wide range of procedures including all types of surgery of both the bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth and neck. Drs. Polking and Polking work very closely with the oral surgeons on our dental implant construction cases.

Periodontists are dentists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. They have had extensive training with two additional years of study after dental school. As specialists they devote their time, energy and skill to helping patients care for their gums.

Endodontists are individuals with an additional two years of training that allow them to complete complex root canal cases. Endodontists examine patients and interpret radiographs and pulp tests to determine pulp vitality and periapical tissue condition.

The prosthodontist is a speciliast who has an additional two to three years of post graduate training in complex restorative dentistry.

A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. If your child has special needs, care from a pediatric dentist may be considered.

An orthodontist prevents and treats mouth, teeth, and jaw problems. Using braces, retainers, and other devices, an orthodontist helps straighten a person's teeth and correct the way the jaws line up.